Coin-controlled vending machine



F. NIEWOEHNER 2,14 747 co1NcoNTRoLLED VENDING MACHINE Filed Jan. 11, 1946 :5 she'etssheet 1 All" `Fuly 6, 1948.v

Filed Jan. ll, 1946 F. NIEWOEHNER COIN-CONTROLLED VENDING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 '-jOj 65 u `/Ily l,

July 6, 1948. F NIEWOEHNER 2,444,747

COIN-CONTROLLED VENDING MACHINE Filed Jan. 11, 1946 s sheets-sheet 5 Patented July 6, 1948 COIN-CONTROLLED VENDING yMACHINE Fred Niewoehnen'ergenfield, N. J., assignor to Postage Stamp Machine Co., New York, N. Y.,

a co-partnership Original applicationJanuary 17, 1945, Serial No. 573,199. Divided and thisv application January 11,1946, Serial No.,640,564

9 Claims. (Cl. 312-56) Cil Another object of the invention is to provide an eicient and simple indicia for indicating when the machine is empty, and for locking and holding said indicia in its visual empty position until the machine is unlocked and reloaded.

A further object of the invention is the Iprovision of a simple and efficient pivotal construction for the stamp holding magazines that will facilitate reloading and/or unloading.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention, which result in simplicity, economy and efficiency will be apparent from the following detailed description,` wherein a preferred form of embodiment of the invention is shown,v reference being had for illustrative purposes to the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof,

wherein like numerals indicate like parts, in

Fig. l is a y.perspective view of a coin-controlled postage stamp vending machine embodying the principles of the invention; y

y Fig. 2 -is an enlarged vertical and longitudinal sectional .view of the coin-controlled vending machine shown in Fig. 1, illustrating the normal receiving position of a coin in dotted lines therein, the same having been taken substantially along the line 2--2 thereof, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary vertical front elevational view, partly in section, of the machine shown in Fig. 2, with its front cover plate removed, the-same having been taken substantially along the line 3-3 thereof, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional View of the machine shown in Fig. 2, the same having been taken substantially along the line 4 4 thereof, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 5 is across-sectional'view of the ma-chine shown in Fig. 2, the same having been taken l ing in the direction of the arrows;

substantially along the line 5-5 tli '=.re'of,A look'- Fig. 6` is another cross-sectional view"of t he machine shown in Fig. 2, the same havirigibeen taken alongthe line 6--6 thereof, looking inthe direction of the arrows; f fl". Fig. '7. is an.enlargedperspectiveI view o the systems of coin chutes ofthe machine', showing particularly the manner in whichspurious or rejected coins are returned to the operator;VVV Fig. 8 is a fragmentary vertical andl'vlongitudinal sectional -view ofthe coin-controlled mechanism shown in Fig. 2, illustratingltheY position of the coin-controlledl mechanism, '..i'nclud-- ing the coin, at the time theI packetof `stamps begins its movement into full v,dispensi1r1g`b-vr'iosi'-, tion; Fig. 9 is another fragmentary vertical,and longitudinal sectional View. of the coin-controlled mechanism ls hownin Fig. 2, illustrating itsposition in full dispensing'with the ,em'pty.` indicia locked in its indicatingwposition to 4showthat ythe supply of kstamps ,inv theV magazineis exhausted;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary @crosssectional view of the slidable dispenser, showing the same mounted in its slotin Lthe.biSeKmember; l

Fig. 11 is a'perspective view ofthe holder for the nal stamps of the lstamp ,maga- Zine, which follower carries.- thegvisual indicia for indicating when thel machine is empty;

. Fig. 12 is a perspectivel View `of a partially opened packet of stampsl ofthe type to-be dispensed from the-machine; and `Fig.,13 is a perspective Aview of one ofgthe gravity weights to be pcsitionedon thetop of the empty follower on top of the column of.. stamp packets in a'magazine, showing the lockingslot which engages a detent of the follower fortlockf ing the same in an exposed position withimthe discharge slot of the machine. -4 w Referring now to the drawings, there is shown in Fig. 1 a stamp vending machine comprising an outer casing I4, having a base 15'; and a removable front cover plate llli provided with a suitable lock I1. The cover platellsfhasin its upper portion a series of slots I8 land` I9 for receiving coins of different denominations, ras indicated by suitable direction plates 20 and 21, and a'coin return slot 22 for returning spurious or rejected coins. The lower portion of the cover plate l 6 is provided with a central opening 23 for receiving one end 'of a yreciprocating o r actuating handle 2,4, and la 'series of slots 25 and 26 through which the articles to be vended may be discharged.

In Fig. 3, the casing I4 is shown with its iront cover plate I6 removed. A pair of U-shaped channel members 3B are shown mounted intermediate the sides of the casing I4 with their opennected on opposite sides to the chute systems=34 and 36 for returning spurious or rejected coins tozfthe operator' through the returnslot `22.

Each coin chutesystem -consistsof a plurality o4fsections,.,a rearwardlygdeclining. section and a vertical-section. The 'chute systems 34 and 36 are identicalin construction, and extend substantially parallel to each other,. consistingV of a rearwardly .declining sectionillll;A having an opening in its',.3bo'ttom at fits reanandcommunicating with the vertical chute section shown made up of two parts' 4,I,.an'd 4I. The sections 4I' of the vertical chute are 'formed from a single .piece of metal, and the lower part 4 I of each chute is made up of two'parts. The. main.. part of the section 4I' is Ug-shapedand provided 'with an attachable cover platei."A Suitable base flanges. are formed integrlly with' the; lower'jendsjof said sections 4I' to provideimeans for fastening them to the base plate32. These chute systems are constructed in'this sectionalV `manner only* for convenience and'cheapnessofmanufacture; andobviouslymay beformed ino'ther'wayswithout' departing from the spirit'of the invention. L A longitudinal.slotor'opening'l (see'Fig 7) is fonned'along'one side of ea'ch of therearwardly declining sections`40 ofthe chute systems 34 and toJ provide vopen `communication with theH return-coinbhutesystem38. The bottom ofthe opening 48 is flush with the bottom of the chute l''and" isrzifa` heightslightly'less than the diameter'f'a coin of the properidenominationto be conveyed thereal'ong; Each'of thechuteslyhas 'an alnrtmer'itv or, projectionf 4 9 mounted `inwardly on theWall opposite'saidv open`ingl- 48 adjacent its forward end for d'eiiectringall coins-passing along said Arearwardly declining section toward said openingfl. Obviously, 'if va deposited coin is smallerfthany thecoin'pf the proper denomination, i itvvould vbe vdeflected by` the abutment A9 tewardsf the-opening 143 and= pass therethrough into* the" vertical receiving fsec'tion' 5.9i of the return chute systemi38gwhereuporr it will gravitate into the forwardlyideclining section '.52 Earid` be delivered :tofthefoperator through theretu-rn 'slot The removable basefmemberl 32 is'providedwith a downwardlyand lintegrally formed outer ange or skirt: :'55 providing. f suitable supporting legs therefor. ,ft 4is. of a sizevandy shape adapted Itol t slidably-within. the casing |54. on the trackways or guide rails 3i thereofpand isvprovided-withf a pluralityiot longitudinal: slots Si), which are narrowed adjacent: their-rear ends, asindicated at -6IA, to snugly're'ceive a-coin,as 4best shown in Fig. 5. A medecin receiver-62. is .attached below the 4base member 32 :fin-spaced: relation thereto by 4means 4 (See Fig. 5.) The coin receiver 52 is provided with spaced coin tracks aligned with the coin slots 6I of the base member 32. The arm 63 is provided with a horizontal aperture 61 for receiving the handle 24. The forward or front edge of the base member 32 is provided: with a downwardly extending "ange '68 having a horizontal aperture 69 therethrough also for receiving the handle 24.

1A plurality of spaced vertical magazines 'II are positioned adjacent the front edge of the base mexnber '32', and are suitably centered over the forward ends of the slots 60. Each magazine 1I consists of a xed inner upright 'i2 having horizontal base flanges by which it may be secured to the base member 32, and a second spaced outer upright'13, having a similar horizontal base flange 'I4 Iby which it is in turn attached to the base member 32 adjacent its rear end by a single screw 15. The outer uprights 'I3 are. pivotally movable aboutytheir fastening, screw l5, asaindicated by the..dotted. line position shown inFigQG, sothat theymay be swungoutwardly and away from their inner xed uprights l2 toiacilitate loading and/or. .unloading ofthe-magazines.v .Each of.the uprights 'I2 amil-.13 has inwardly.projectingand vertically extending. integraln flanges TI, formed along their front and rear edges for preventing longitudinal movement` of `the stamp packets therein. The flanges 'Il adjacent theirloWer-ends stopshor-t of the :base plate.32A to providea relatively .narrow slot, Min the front of the .magazine and. a simi-larlslotylil` in-therear of.-,the magazine for dispensing the stamp packets therefrom, as best.- shown -inFig 2. A lug 8l for-inedintegrally with ther-base plate 32 projects upwardly centrally'. therefrom .to provide a supportr -forA a transversely extending y cross-,bar--82 -mounted thereon in-spaced relationy above said base plate in frontfotthe magazines@ 1I. .(-See'FiguBJ The bar'82-prevents the discharge of vmore than-one packet ;atfa timefrom the magazines 1I, and also serves V:tc:V preventv 'operators from endeavoring. to fish,4 packets out of the magazine with a limi-fev blade,"v'vire or" similar -foreignarvticle 4(not shown) f The 'inner uprightsf-ot 'the magazine-r I I aref heldy in fixed relation byl Imeans ofA suitable spacing 'lugs-184 (see Fig; 4),'-Which also serve to holclfthe coin'chutesf34,.36fand 38-in1xed position. :The u-pper free ends of the upstandingguide members 'I2and13,lforming theimagazines l I, rare further held in proper spaced relation by a. suitable 'guide'member ilfmounted on the removable front' coverk |26. The guide member; Sil has' aplurality oi spaced ngerslll, whichf interlock and -wedgingly engage the guidesi12 and13' whenA the cover" 16 is positioned` on the front of the casing 14, asbest 'shownin Figsj 2, 3 and4.

4fr separate andindependently operable stamp discharging-mechanism `is provided-for each of thefmagazines'fii, Vand* each dispenser is adapted to be operated slidably withinone of the longitudinal slots Gilfas best shown in Fig.' 10. -Each dispenser 9-2 consistsof ailat dispensing plate 93, being substantially the width `and thickness of a' A'lled stamp: packet 9'4' (see 12)'3 to be-dis- Vcharged'from theY machine thereby. The dispensing plate or bar 33 is slightly Wider than the slotft in which it operates, and is connected by a plurality of screws B6 to a bottom platefgl, having' laterallyextending longitudinal. flanges 98, forming` a coin engaging' bar operating below the base. plate32. -The bottom plateB'Lis substantally of the width and height oi' the slot 6U, and

serves to slidably guide the mechanism within the slot 60.

` The operating mechanism of the vending machine consists mainly of a manually operable reciprocating handle 24 extending substantially the entire length of the base plate 32 and projecting forwardly. a sho-rt distance therebeyond. The handle 24 is freely and slidably mounted under the base plate 32 in the horizontally aligned openings 61 and G9, best shown in Figs. 3 and 4, respectively. A coin pusher is xedly mounted on the rearwardly extending end of the handle 24 by suitable set screws |02 (see Fig. 5) andy is adapted to be reciprocably carried thereby and moved forwardly therewith over and beyond the coin receiver 52. (See Figs. 8 and 9.) The coin pusher ||||l is provided with a series of spaced slots |03, one each being aligned vertically with the spaced coin slots 6|. (See Fig. 5.)

A transversely extending U-shaped stop bar |04 is mounted nxedly on the handle 24 intermediate the fixed coin receiver 62 and the front ange 68 of the base member 32 by means of set screws |05. The bar |04 is spaced on the handle 24 rearwardly from the front flange 68 the exact distance of its operating stroke, and this serves to limit the forward movement of the handle 24. The projecting spaced arms |06 of the U-shaped stop bar |04 are aligned one each with the slots 60 of the base member 32, and project upwardly until they extend into the path of movement of the forward edge of the coin engaging bar 98 (see Fig. 9). The handle 24 and its xedly mounted coin pusher |0| and stop bar |04 are made reciprocable by means of a double coil spring |01 secured on one end to the rear edge of the fixed coin receiver 62, as indicated at |08, and secured at its opposite end to one of the fastening screws securing the stop bar |04 to the handle 24.

, The stop bar |04 is provided along one lateral edge with a series of teeth |0, which are intended to engage a pivotally mounted cam-shaped pawl or detent mounted in juxtaposition therewith. The pawl or detent is mounted pivotally on a suitable supporting bracket ||3 by means of a screw .||'2. The supporting bracket ||3 is, in turn, suitably attached by screws I4 to the underside of the base plate 32. The pawl is held in engaging position at right angles to the teeth ||0 by means of a spring H6, having one end thereof secured to the forward edge of its cam skirt, as indicated at |1, and having its other end secured to the supporting bracket ||`3 forwardly of the machine, as indicated at ||8 (see Fig. 5).

In Fig. l2 there is shown a sanitary stamp folder or packet 94 within which stamps ||6 may be positioned for vending from the machine. The packet 94 consists of a single piece of material, such as paper or cardboard, of a suitable size folded backwardly along its lateral axis, forming a bottom ||1 and top ||8.

A follower |20, which is shown best in Fig. 11, serves as a holder for the last stamps to be dispensed from a magazine, and also serves to indicate when the machine is empty of stamps in a manner hereinafter to be'explained in detail. The follower consists of a flat strip of suitable material, preferably metal, having one end bent upwardly and backwardly, as indicated at |2|, to provide a top |22 and form a pocket |23 for receiving and holding the stamps I6. The top |22 has an upstanding integrally formed locking lug or detent |24. The word empty is written across the forward top edge of the bottom plate or pro- 6 jectable tongue, which is readable from outside of the machine when the follower |20 has been moved to its discharging position by the dispenser 92, indicatingthat the 'magazine 1| is out of stamps. N

In`Fig 13 there is shown a perspectiveview of a gravity weight |26, which maybe formedof any suitable heavy material.l The weight'lZB is adapted to be positioned over the top of the fol# lower 4|20 in each magazine 1|. The ,weight mem'berl 26 serves to keep the column of articles therebelow to be held compactedly together with the lowermost article against the base plate 32 in proper position to be dispensed. The weight |26 is provided with a transverse indenture or slot along theforward edge of its bottom, as in# dicated at |21, for receiving the locking lug or detent |24 of the follower |20 when the same is moved forwardly of the magazine into its discharging position.

`In describing the operation of the machine, it will be assumed that the handle 24 is in. its normal operating position under spring urging pressure. A coin of the proper denomination is positioned in one or both ofthe coin receiving slots |8 and I9, whereupon they will be conveyed separately by gravity through their respective chute systems 34 and 35 to the coin slots 5|, respectively, in the basemem'ber 32 and dropped into the coin track or tracks of the coin r eceiver 62 aligned vertically therebelow. Each of the coin tracks 66 .with its respectively aligned vertical coinslot [il andl thecoin slot |03 of the coin pusher i0! forms a pocket for receiving the coin deliveredr or dropped thereinto. The actuatinghandle 24 is now ready to be Vmanually pulled forwardly or outwardly of the casing |4`, against its normalspring urging means |01, carrying the coin pusher forwardly and thereby forcing the coin |00 along its fixed coin track 55S until its upper forward edge engagesy its respective coin engaging bar 01, forcing itand its fixed flat dispensing plate 93 also forwardly. This forward movement of the dispensing mechanism continues untilthe stop bar |04 engages the iiange 68, at which position the coin |00 has been pushed beyond the end of its coin track Gli and drops into a suitable coin box ||5 positioned therebelow; Thus, it will be obvious that the coin |00 forms the only connection between the coin pusher |0| and the dispensing mechanism 02. The dispenserplate 93, as it is thus carried forwardly, forces a packet of stamps from the magazine, and, if it is the last stamps in the magazine, Athe follower |20y will be forced outwardly with its Empty indicia showing. The follower 20 will be locked in its projected' position by the detent |24 engaging the slot |21 in the forward end of thev weight member |26, and cannot be forced llcackwardly out of sight in the machine casing until the machine is opened and the detent |24 manually'is removed from the slot |21. -It will be apparent from the foregoing description that the operating handle 24 is freely manipulatable at all times, and there is no incentive on the part of an operator to play with it in the hope 7; instales separately eeddcpsnds entirely 01,1 its Go.- mi fpr- Genectionfor operation! Ifi the: reciprocating handle 24, ispulledoutonly part, of the way` against its spring, tension,` and then slips from the grasp of the operator, it will not snap back into the-machine aathe pawl and ratchet arrangement will hold the handleat its intermediate forward position until regrasped by the. operator and moved forwardly its fullz discharging stroke, whereuponthe stamps wiil have been discharged or delivered to the operator. Once the teethv on the stop bar are moved entirely beyond the pawl, the handle may return to its. norma-l positionas the pawl is noty effective on the return movement. When thehandle 2liv is being moved rearwardly, it also carries its fixed stop bar kH94 rearwardly, and the upwardly projecting arms [B thereof engage the forwardr ends of thecoin engaging bar or bars 91, if they are positioned in the forward endof the slot or slots 60,` and move them rearwardly thereofinto their normal position for dispensing the next varticle from the magazine 'Il when they are again moved forwardly by another coin connection. Obviously, if only one coin hadv been deposited in the machine, only the dispenser for that side of the machine will be forward in its slot 6D- and will be moved backwardly when the handle returns to its normal positionfas the other dispenser will already -be in its normal position and out of position to be engaged by its upwardly engaging arm [06 as it is 'moved rearwardly the distance of the stroke of the operating handle.

While the invention is described as being specifically designed for vending packets of postage stamps, it is obvious that it may also be used without material change for vending any at article such as cards, paper, envelopes, gum and the like. Therefore, whenever the word stamp is used in the specification, it shall be considered generically as including such other articles.

Although I have only described in detail one form which the invention may assume, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the same is not so limited, but that various modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit thereof or from the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

l. In a coin controlled vending machine, a magazine for holding a plurality of articles in la vertical column, dispensing means for discharging the lowermost article of said column, a follower adapted to be positioned over said column of articles, means carried by said follower for holding one of said articles for dispensing, lock engaging means carried by said follower, and a gravity Weight member adapted to be positioned in said magazine over said `follower to cause the column of articles therebelow to be held compactedly together with thelowermost article in position to be dispensed, said weight member hav-ing locking means adapted to coopcrate with the lock engaging means of the follower when the same is moved into its dispensing position whereby said'follower may be locked in such dispensing position until the magazine is reloaded.

2. In a coin controlled `vending machine, a magazine for holding a plurality of articles in a vertical column, dispensing means for discharging the lowermost article of said column, a follower adapted to be positioned above sai-d column of articles having means for holding one of said articles lfor dispensing, lock engaging neunte@ adjacent the rear end, 0f, said. follower, and` a gravity weight member adapted to be; positioned;k on said follower to cause the column ofV articlestherebelow to be held, compactedly together with the lowermost article in proper position to be dispensed, said weight memberhavinglocking means formed in itsl forwardend and adapted to cooperate with the lock en agingE meansof thefollower when the same is moved to, its full discharged position lby the dispensing mechanism, whereby said follower may be lacked; in such discharged position until the magazine is.. reloaded.

31e In a coin. controlled vending machine, a magazine for holding a plurality of articles in a ventical column, dispensing means for discharging, the lowermost article of said column, a followerY adapted to. be positioned above said co1- umn of articles having indicia thereon for indicatfmjg .when the magazine is empty, means carried bysaidfollower for holdingone of said articles, for dispensing, lock engaging means carried by said holdingfmeans, anda gravityy weight member adapted to be positioned in said magazine over said follower to cause the column of arti-cles therebelow to` be held ccmpactedly t0- gether.- with the lowermost article in proper position. te be dispensed,` locking means formed in the base of said weight member adapted to engage Said lock engaging means of said` follower when the same is moved to its full discharged pnsition bythe dispensing mechanism, whereby saidfollower may lbe locked in such discharged position .with its indicia showing until the maga-Zne isV relo'ided.

4. In al coin controlled .vending machine, a magazine for holding a plurality of articles in avertical column, dispensing nfieans` foi` discharging the lowermost article of said column, a follower vadapted to be. positioned above said co1- umn of articles, having indicia along its front edge for indicatingY the-magazine isy empty, means carried by said follower for holding one of said articles, for dispensing, means including a detent carried by said holder for locking the same, in its discharged position, and a gravity weight member adapted to be positioned in saidm'agazine over said follower to cause the column of articles therebelow to -be held compactedly together with the lowermost article in proper position to be dispensed, a slot in the base of said weight member adjacent its front end for engaging the detent of said follower for locking the saine when it is moved into its full discharged position by the dispenser, whereby said follower may belocked in such discharged position with its Vindicial .showing until the magazine is reloaded.

5. Ina coin controlled vending machine, a `for holding a column of articles in stacked position, dispensing means for vending the lowermost article of said magazine, a follower having a projectable tongue adapted to hold .one ,of said Aarticles Abeing vended, and means for lgcking saidtongue in its projected position when lsalad article carried thereby is vended.

-6. In a lcoin controlled ven-ding machine, a magazine or holding a column of articles in a stacked position, dispensing means for vending the lowermost article of said magazine, a follower adapted to ,be mounted on top of the columnrof stacked articles having a projectable tongue adapted to hold one of said articles, Sad tongue carrying indicia thereon for visually inliaiigg, when, saisi magazine is imputed means for locking said tongue in its projected position when said article carried thereby is Vended.

7. In a coin controlled vending machine, a magazine for holding a plurality of articles in a vertical column, dispensing means for vending the lowermost article in said magazine, a follower having a projectable tongue adapted to hold the last of said articles in said magazine, a gravity weight member adapted to be mounted over said follower for holding the same and the column of articles compactedly together with the -lowermost article in position to be dispensed, and means for locking said follower tongue in its projected position when said article carried thereby has been vended.

8. In a coin controlled vending machine, a magazine for holding a plurality of articles in a vertical column, said magazine having at least one pivotal side for facilitating loading the same, dispensing means for vending the lowermost article in said magazine, a follower having a projectable tongue adapted to hold the last of said articles in said magazine, a gravity weight member adapted to be mounted over said fol- 10 lower for holding the same and the column of articles compactedly together with the lowermost article in position to lbe dispensed, and means for locking said follower tongue in its projected position when said article carried thereby has been Vended.

9. In a coin controlled Vending machine, a magazine for holding a column of articles in a stacked position, dispensing means for vending the lowermo-st article of said magazine, a follower adapted to be mounted on top of the column of stacked `articles having a projectab-le tongue adapted to hold one of said articles, lock engaging means carried by said follower, and a gravity weight member adapted to hold said follower and column of articles compactedly together with the lowermost article in vending position, said weight member-having means adapted to cooperate with the lock engaging means of said follower when the same is moved into vending lposition to lock its tongue in projected position until said magazine is refilled.

FRED NIEWOEHNER. 

